Bridle bit



E. L. ULRICH May 27, 1947.

BRIDLE BIT Filed Jan. 9, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY iv VE/V 7'02 ayeneQQQllkcfi May 27, 1947. E; ULRICH BRIDLE BIT Filed Jan. 9, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented May 27, 1947 ZAZLNB UNITED STATES PATENT iOFFlCEY Application January 9, 1946, Serial No. 640,020

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to equestrian equipment and particularly to a bridle bit.

The main object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly simple form of bit, in which the head stall is buttoned to the bit in the same manner as a spur strap is buttoned to a spur, thereby eliminating the head stall pinch entirely, and leaves the mouth piece in the same position in the horses mouth at all times.

The second object is to employ a heavy round bar just in front of the rein rings, causing the bit to have a swinging or shock absorbing motion and thereby giving the bit a much better balance.

The third object is to render unnecessary a steady pulling and jerking of the reins, requiring merely a twitch of the reins to cause the lower part of the bit to swing backwardly towards the horses body, bringing the curb strap in contact with the horses chin. The curb strap immediately falls away and falls clear of the horses chin unless he is ridden with a tight rein. Therefore the object is to so construct the bit, that a straight mouth piece can be employed in order to provide the shock absorbing motion, and also to eliminate fretting, worrying or champing at the bit.

The fourth object is to expedite the leading of saddle horses and to provide a bit which will not cause the horse to throw his nose up to get away from the pressure on his tongue, which is commonly the case with mouth pieces which are not straight.

The fifth object is to employ a head stall which does not interfere with the top of the bit (touch the curb strap) as the shape of the horses head spreads the head stall away from the horses cheeks.

The sixth object is to enable the rider, as he so wishes, to apply more pressure to the horses chin, and to relieve the pressure on the tongue and bars. He may do this by putting a nose band underneath the head stall. In other words, it may be converted into a hackamore bit.

These and other objects are accomplished in the manner set forth in the following specifications, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, showing the device applied to a horses head.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation taken along the line 2-2 in Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, showing the position of the bit when a horse is grazing.

Fig. 5 is a view, showing the position of the bit when the horse is being lead.

Similar numbers of reference refer to the same vided with slots [3 to receive the reduced ends It of the bit core, which is preferably covered by means of a copper tubing it, which lies within the bit arms ll. 0n the outer ends of each reduced end I4, is mounted a button l8, which is preferably riveted thereon.

Disposed across the ends IQ of the bit arms I1, is a curved bar 20, provided with a ring 2|, to which is attached the snap 22 secured on the end of the strap 23, whose upper end is attached to the throat latch [2, while its lower end passes above the curb straps 2'5, which are attached to the curb rings 26 of the bit. The usual reins 21 are attached to the rein rings 28.

It can be seen from the foregoing, that in the construction herein disclosed, there is provided a bit, having a wide range of uses, with the utmost amount of comfort for the horse wearing same. It can be seen that the bit is a free swinging bit, and that the rider has, within his power, the opportunity to adapt the bit to its best use, whether it be riding or leading the animal or permitting it to graze.

Attention is especially drawn to the fact that the member i6 is preferably made of copper or bronze, as this metal is preferred by the animal.

It will be noted that between the ends of the strap 23, is secured a ring 29, to which the snap 22 may be attached if it is passed around the curb strap 25, the purpose of which is readily discernable by inspection of Figs. 4 and 5.

I am aware that many forms of bits have been constructed in the past. It is therefore, not my intention to cover such devices broadly, but I do intend to cover all such forms and modifications of the invention that fall fairly within the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. A bridle having in combination a pair of cheek straps, a straight bit mounted across the lower end of said straps, bit arms depending from the ends of said bit, a cross bar constituting a counter-weight disposed in front of the lower 3 ends of said bit arms, a throat latch attached to said cheek straps, and a, strap secured to said cross bar between the lower ends of said bit arms and the under side of said throat latch adapted to limit the swinging movement thereof.

2. A bridle of the class described, consisting of a pair of cheek straps having a head strap across the upper end thereof and having a threat latch secured. tosaidhead strap, a straight bit having aapairof depending bit arms, one i-at each end thereof, reins attached to the lower ends of said bit arms, a counter-weight attached to said bit arms in front of said rein fastening, and a strap between said counter-weight and throat latch adapted to limit the swingingmovementof said counter-Weight.

3. A bridle having in combinations; straight bit-- 4 core, having a tubular bronze covering, a pair of bit arms having a counter-weight rigidly joined to their outer ends and having their opposite ends suspended from said bit core, and cheek straps having slits formed therein engaging said core outside of said bit; arms.

EUGENE L. ULRICH REFERENCES CITED The foli'owing 'references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bergen Aug. 27, 1935 Crippen et a1 Mar. 6, 1888 Udhaug July 24, 1906 Number 

